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The City of Lost Children
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    100
    This remarkable movie is really one-of-a-kind. [15 Dec 1995]
    All this critic's reviews
  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Kim Newman
    100
    The City Of Lost Children is as great a film as you thought "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was when you were five years old.
  3. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    100
    As a fable, The City of Lost Children may not have a resonantly significant moral, but as a film, it is without a doubt the most incredible thing that the cinema has brought us this year. [22 Dec 1995]
    All this critic's reviews
  4. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Thomas
    100
    The City of Lost Children is a stunningly surreal fantasy, a fable of longing and danger, of heroic deeds and bravery, set in a brilliantly realized world of its own. It is one of the most audacious, original films of the year. [22 Dec 1995]
    All this critic's reviews
  5. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    88
    You may end up wishing for a little less show and a lot more substance.
  6. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    88
    For those who enjoy the offbeat, The City of Lost Children is worth taking the time and effort to find.
  7. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Joey O'Bryan
    78
    With its fine performances, gorgeous sets, incredible special effects, imaginative story line, beautiful score (by frequent David Lynch collaborator Angelo Badalamenti), and knockout cinematography, The City of Lost Children is very much worth seeing.
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    I am not one of you. But I have enough of you in me to pass along the word. Far out.
  9. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Stack
    75
    Children, and adults with adventurous taste in movies, will find this among the most eye-popping big-screen experiences in ages.
  10. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    70
    The movie is best appreciated as a collection of whimsical toys drawn from a fantasy grab bag that encompasses everything from Grimm's fairy tales to "Star Wars."
  11. Variety
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    70
    A vibrant, bubbling cauldron of breathtaking f/x, gross-out humor and in-your-face imagery.
  12. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    63
    At its best, the movie is coldly clever with a few brilliant warmer moments - as when someone drops an Alka Seltzer into the tank to soothe the Brain. [14 Dec 1995]
    All this critic's reviews
  13. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Georgia Brown
    60
    City of Lost Children is so extravagantly cluttered, so packed to the portholes, it's hard to sort out, or even see, what's there. Under the overload, however, it has some perfectly lovely elements. [19 Dec 1995]
    All this publication's reviews
  14. San Francisco Examiner
    Reviewed by: Barbara Shulgasser
    50
    I'm not really sure who would enjoy this movie.
  15. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    50
    Sadly, the technical logistics seem to have impeded the dreamlike flow a movie like this requires.
  16. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    50
    This delirious film is overflowing with energy and effects, but it lacks the heart and soul that would have made it important as well as impressive.
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. ThomasS.
    10
    My favorite movie of them all!
  2. crim50n
    10
    This movie, wow, just wow. I absolutely love this movie. My favorite movie of all time. No kidding. The atmosphere, the actors, the story, just wow. I love movies set in different worlds that don't really classify as sci-fi or fantasy. This is one such treat. Directed and written by the same director/writer of Delicatessen and it definitely shows. If you enjoy this I'd also recommend Big Fish, Mirrormask, and Dark City. Actually scratch that, even if you don't like City of Lost Children you should watch those movies. The only drawback I could see to this movie for audiences is that it is subtitled. However that should most certainly not deter anyone from seeing it. Read a little and get enveloped in this fantastic world.… Full Review »
  3. ryancarroll88
    7
    It's a dense, over-bloated film with more twisted ideas than it can possibly dish out gracefully, but it's so visually enticing and filled with enough intrigue that it is definitely worth the two hours of confusion. If a comparison is needed, think of it as the French version of "Brazil," without the political overtones.… Full Review »
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